The Irish standard., 1887-07-16
PRISON GOVERNMENT.
Discipline in California Bastile Main
tanned on stomachicaI Basis.

PRISON GOVERNMENT.
Discipline in California Bastile Main
| tained on = stomachical Basis.
TO those who are unacquainted with
4he methods of prison discipline visit
to the branch prison at Folsom is full
of interest To see the six hundred
| prisoners at work in and around those
quarries one wonders by what means
men who are convicted Of all crimes
known to our laws behave so excel
lently and work with degree of
industry that would be creditable to
any walk of life. Six hundred men,
unmanacled, unclaimed, outside OF the
prison walls, with nothing to indicate
that they were prisoners except
their striped felon's suits, working
away with will, performing an hon.
est days labor, and apparently proud
Of the result of their toll is q sight to
the visitor totally unexpected. Men
who never in a free state did an honest
days work-forgers, burglars, high.
waymen, murderers-vie with each
other to see who can do the most, and
strive to and do accomplish as good
work as that turned out by free skilled
labor. These men are Of all ages, from
youth Of sixteen to men bowed down
by three score years and ten-men
whose sentences range from one to
tifty-fve years, while others have been
sentenced for life. What is still more
remarkable the "life-t -timers.' as they
are called, are said to be the most con-
tented and best workers, and those
who are in free state are lazy, indo-
lent, and averse to labor of any kind,
are the most reliable and industrious.
The secret Of all this is the fact that
the quality and service of their food
and the limited privileges they enjoy
are dependent upon .heir behavior and
the amount and quality Of the labor
they perform. The eating department
OF the prison is divided into three
grades, and is designated by the pris~
oners as the ''bean table, - ''bull beef
and "mutton chop" The dining
room for the t'bean table, is fitted up
with tables consisting of . single board
about ten inches wide, upon which,
about every three feet, is securely
nailed q tin dish con ntaining pepper
and salt. The beans and other rough
food are served OH tin plates, and
knives and forks are not provided.
The food is wholesome, but it must
be eaten in the most primitive
style, and the prisoners are not
allowed to speak to one another dur
ing rneal-tirne. All new prisoners
are placed at the "bean table, and
it is not until their excellent conduct
and industry cornmends them to the
management that they are promoted to
the ''bul1-beef table, Here the fare is
more varied; the prisoners are seated
at tables, furnished with wholesome
beef, vegetables etc. This is quite a
step in advance of the '4bean table, ~
and many prisoners never get beyond
it, The ''mutton-chop table, is the
height OF the prisoners ambition.
Here he is seated al a regular dining
table; he has a full complement Of
dishes, though all are Of tin; he has a
knife and fork; the table is furnished
with casters; be has mutton stew,
stewed beef, meats in variety. vegeta~
bles in season, and is allowed to con-
verse freely with his fellows. 1t is a
distinction he is proud of one that he
l4o.
that he will maintain no matter how
hard the struggle. The prisoners are
treated kindly, the ''lnutton-chop''
men are shown great consideration by
the officers, and from this class little
or no trouble is experienced, for an in
fraction of tle rules sends them to the
"bean-table, - from which they find it
difficult to again obtain what they have
lost, Seer H,ne1ato Record.